A distinguished career on both sides of the public service fence

AS a poacher turned gamekeeper, Ombudsman and Information Commissioner Kevin Murphy, who has announced his retirement, has been on both sides of the public service fence. He has in fact partially succeeded in breaking it down during his distinguished career.

The 66-year-old Dubliner, born in the Dolphin's Barn area of the city, could not afford to attend university when he left school and instead joined the civil service, though he would later obtain a degree in economics.

He rose steadily through the ranks , reaching the position of Secretary of the then Department of the Public Service in 1983, remaining in charge of the Public Service following that department's merger with the Department of Finance in 1987.